Google close to deal with EU

Google is close to settling a three-year EU competition probe with “much better” concessions to allay concerns over blocking rivals such as Microsoft from internet search results, according to sources.

A settlement would mean Google, the world’s biggest internet search engine, would escape a possible fine of as much as €3.5bn or 10% of its 2012 revenue.

Such an outcome would mirror the company’s success in the US last year where it received only a mild reprimand from the Federal Trade Commission, which said Google had not manipulated its website results following a 19-month investigation.